FOX47 NEWS - Alpine Valley to Hire 1,000 Workers

Alpine Valley Music Theater is looking to hire more than 1,000 people for its summer concert series. Granted -- the jobs are seasonal and part-time -- but in a recession, any kind of job growth is a huge encouragement.

The massive lawn and pavilion are empty for now, the stage, quiet. But come this summer, Alpine Valley Music Theater will likely welcome thousands of concert goers.

We've got seven shows lined up right now, three of which are sold out, said Brian Rutkowski, operations manager. We're looking forward to a very fun and exciting season this year.

Live Nation, the venue's promoter, is hiring more than 1,000 people to work the concerts -- everything from stage hands to security guards, even parking attendants and retail salespeople. Pay ranges from $8 to $15 per hour.

We have staff that are 15 years old -- that's what we start at -- which can be parking and ticket takers, said Rutkowski. We go all the way up the board -- we have a gentleman out here that's over 80 years old who is one of our ushers.

The jobs couldn't come at a better time. Wisconsin lost 35,000 jobs in March alone, and with the economy in recession, nearby business owners are ecstatic about the influx of concert goers.

We get sold out almost immediately once the concerts are announced, especially with Jimmy Buffet and Dave Matthews Band, and we have people that come here repeatedly, said Karen Fulbright Anderson, owner of Ye Olde Manor House.

Business owners say after a night of live music and partying, tourists are always looking for places to stay overnight, and eat a big breakfast in the morning.

We think it's really great and we're looking forward to them coming into town, said Jon Voigt, owner of Kountry Inn Kitchen. We depend on tourism to keep our business established.